Seminary Ball returns to support seminarian formation costs

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The Diocese of Covington is once again hosting the Seminary Ball, Oct. 16. The Ball is a kick-off event to promote the Seminary Education Fund collection across the Diocese, Oct. 17-18. With a record breaking 650 people in attendance at the 2025 ball, the event is the largest hosted by the Diocese annually and is the only fundraiser for seminarian formation.

“This event is really to celebrate our priests, to celebrate our seminarians and to announce that this collection will be taken this weekend. And asking people to pray if God’s calling them to be generous to it,” said Jim Hess, director of the Office of Stewardship and Mission Services. “The event itself is really enjoyable,” he said.

Hosted at Receptions Event Center, Erlanger, the event centers around the seminarians, including a new feature video focused on the seminarians Totus Tuus assignment, as well as a live seminarian Q&A before the dance floor is opened and the late-night snacks are brought out.

In addition to celebrating diocesan seminarians and priests, the Seminary Ball also spreads awareness for the vocation of religious life.

“It’s also the largest vocations awareness event that we have in the Diocese,” said Mr. Hess. “Last year I think we had six different tables of college-campus ministry students that were able to attend the Seminary Ball,” he said. “It’s an educational opportunity for the college students and young adults that are there, for them to consider their own vocation and for them to get to have experience with the seminarians in our Diocese, to see that, for them to understand that we are all called to discern our vocation.”

“It’s a really fun event; it’s really the best party the Diocese throws all year. I think everybody should go, everybody would enjoy it,” said Mr. Hess.